Hey I'm Brandon! Nice to meet you!

[Brandon Hitchins]

Hey everyone!

I'm not sure if I should even be given the time of day. I've been one of those people that you might consider "just a talker" that most wouldn't give a second thought about. I've always lived paycheck to paycheck, and even let others care for me financially while I blew my money on food, and video games. I still to this day have the habit of wasting all of my money on fast food, energy drinks, and almost anything my children, and wife ask me for. I work 10 hours a day 4 days a week for under $20/hr. I have a credit score in the range of 550-600. I don't have a dime in savings, and less than $50 in my checking account until payday comes. I have $1,000 in medical bills that are in collections, and only a $100 line of credit that I acquired through Amazon last week! To call me financially irresponsible is putting it lightly. I'm financially illiterate, and have no knowledge of how real estate works, but it has been something I've talked about wanting to get into from time to time since an old acquaintance told me of his dream to flip foreclosed homes. 

I've recently realized my own mortality so to speak and came to the conclusion that if I don't change my habits then I will have nothing for my children to inherit when I do eventually pass away. I'm only 31, but anything could happen. I'm not sure if now is even the right time for me to join the BiggerPockets community, but I'm hoping that by doing so it will help break me of my bad financial habits and change my mindset so that I can eventually reach that financial freedom I've been hearing about. My goals sound simple. Financial Freedom, and something to leave behind for my kids to inherit when I pass away. A trip to the Bahamas once in my life sounds nice too!

[Scott E.]

First of all, hats off for you having the courage to come to this forum and post your story. That couldn't have been easy, but just acknowledging your financial condition in this way is a huge step in the right direction. My advice from now through the end of this year is:

1. Start listening to the biggerpockets podcasts. Go back, start at episode 1, and listen to as many episodes as you can. Try to listen to at least 3-4 per week. Soak up everything you learn. A lot of it won't make sense at first, but that's ok.

2. Buy and read 'Rich Dad Poor Dad' written by Robert Kiyosaki. The book was written a long time ago and people have mixed feelings about the author nowadays, but the book is pretty widely accepted as the book that got most new real estate investors started on their journey.

3. Buy and read "I Will Teach You To Be Rich" written by Ramit Sethi. This one is not a real estate book, but it is a GREAT personal finance book. Very beginner friendly. It'll help you get your finances and credit in order.

4. Browse the biggerpockets forums for 30 mins every day. Read the threads that peak your interest. Participate in the discussions when you have a question or something to add.

5. Stop eating fast food and drinking energy drinks. Start eating healthier and taking care of yourself. It'll give you a boost of motivation and energy that you haven't had in a while. You can cheat and eat out a few times a week, but eat clean most of the time. You'll be amazed at what happens to your mind and body.

If you do these things, you are going to be miles ahead of where you are today by year end. The good news is you are very young. You've got your whole life ahead of you to get back on track. Plus you already have a wife and a family! That's something to be proud of. Some people are in much worse shape at 31.